Sabbatarians argue that the 'handwriting of ordinances that was against us' (Colossians 2:14) refers to the ceremonial laws placed beside the ark (Deuteronomy 31:26), whereas the Ten Commandments (including the Sabbath) were placed inside the ark. They also argue that the seventh-day Sabbath is not a 'shadow of things to come' (Colossians 2:17) but a memorial of creation, meaning Paul is only abolishing festival sabbaths.

However, the words 'against thee' are found over 100 times in numerous contexts in the Old Testament; drawing a direct parallel exclusively to Deuteronomy 31:26 requires more substantial evidence to be credible. Furthermore, Christ is our ultimate rest, and therefore acts as the fulfillment of the sabbath 'shadow.'

Most importantly, the verses in Colossians 2 parallel the list of ordinances in Numbers 28-29, where the weekly Sabbath is explicitly grouped with burnt offerings and new moons, all of which have passed away in the work of Christ. The grammar here is rather explicit in its insistence that there is no longer any binding for the Sabbath. A similar parallel is found in Galatians 4:9-11, where Paul counters Judaizers trying to impose Jewish rituals (including observing 'days, and months, and times, and years') on Gentile converts.